Tips for Choosing a Pediatrician Before Your Baby Arrives

Your child's doctor will play a significant role in their health and development from infancy through adolescence. Since your pediatrician will be your go-to resource for medical advice, checkups, and emergency care, finding someone you trust and feel comfortable with is essential. But with so many options available, how do you know which is best for your family? Here, we'll review some essential tips to consider when choosing a pediatrician before your baby is born.

What is a Pediatrician?

Determining which type of doctor is best for pediatric primary care can be confusing. There are pediatricians, family physicians, and plenty of specialists, so which option is best for a new baby?

A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in children, typically from birth until adulthood (age 21). On the other hand, family physicians tend to care for patients of all ages—including children, teens, adults, and seniors.

Pediatricians can have either a doctor of medicine (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy (DO). Either option ensures that doctors are trained in diagnosing, treating, and preventing different diseases, but a DO tends to take a more holistic approach.

When Should I Start Looking for a Pediatrician?

It's essential to start looking for a pediatrician while you're expecting so that you have a trusted doctor ready. You can begin your search any time during your pregnancy, but typically, earlier is better. We recommend you search for a pediatrician during your second or early third trimester of pregnancy. Ideally, you should have one chosen by the 7th or 8th month so you can schedule a prenatal consultation and feel confident in your decision before your baby arrives. This can also ensure you have plenty of time and are not stressed or rushing through the process.

What Are Some Tips to Help Me Choose a Pediatrician?

So, how do you find the best pediatrician for your family? Here are a few things to consider and tips to help you feel confident in your decision.

Ask Friends and Family for Recommendations

A great starting point in your search for potential pediatricians is asking for recommendations from trusted sources. Friends, family members, co-workers, and even your obstetrician can provide valuable insight based on their experiences. You can ask about the doctor's manners, availability, empathy, and whether they felt comfortable with decisions made within the pediatric practice.

Still, while personal recommendations are helpful, remember that everyone’s preferences and priorities differ. Use these suggestions as a foundation, but conduct your own research to ensure that the pediatrician aligns with your needs.

Look for In-Network Options

Healthcare costs can add up quickly, especially when factoring in routine visits, vaccinations, and potential emergencies. To avoid unexpected expenses, check with your insurance provider to see which pediatricians are in-network. Choosing an in-network provider will help you save money and ensure that visits and treatments are covered under your plan.

Finding the right pediatrician for your family should always include budgeting and expenses, but there may be some extenuating circumstances. If you don’t have insurance or have specific coverage concerns, ask the pediatrician’s office about payment plans, discounts, or financial assistance programs.

Check Their Experience

Ideally, you want to find a pediatrician who is "board certified" to care for your child. Board certification is a voluntary process that doctors can undergo to show their commitment to excellence within their specialty (i.e., pediatrics). This can be administered by entities such as the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or other certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Board certification is not a requirement to become a pediatrician, but it can give you some extra peace of mind during your child's first few years of life.

Consider Their Philosophy of Pediatric Care

Your child's pediatrician should share the same beliefs and issues as you and your partner, as conflicting stances could lead to frustrating care in the future. For example, a pediatrician who is strictly focused on breastfeeding could instill guilt in a mother who has struggled and needs to use formula.

Your pediatrician should be someone you trust to provide sound medical advice while respecting your parenting choices. If your perspectives differ significantly, you may want to consider other options.

Look at Proximity and Availability

Another critical factor to consider is convenience. You don’t want to be driving long distances, especially in the event of an emergency. Check their location and office hours, and try to focus on pediatricians close to your home. This can make life with a newborn much more manageable, especially since you'll visit frequently.

Schedule a Visit to the Pediatrician's Office

Before choosing a pediatrician for your baby, schedule an expectant parent visit. Most offices allow this, as they understand how important it is for parents to find the right pediatrician. However, if the pediatric office doesn't offer "meet and greets," it could be a red flag.

During the office visit, you'll likely visit with a doctor or a nurse, get a tour of the building, and be given time to ask questions. Some pediatrics offices even offer classes for expectant parents to learn more about newborn care or the basics of the practice itself. Plus, most insurance providers will cover the costs of these visits as they're often considered a prenatal appointment.

Check Office Policies and Telemedicine

You'll also want to ensure you fully understand the office policies of your pediatrician's practice before committing. Some questions to help you get to know your options include:

• What are your office hours?
• Do you offer same-day sick appointments?
• How long does it typically take to schedule well-baby visits?
• What’s your policy on after-hours calls? Is there an on-call doctor or nurse line?
• How do you handle emergencies?
• Do you offer virtual/telehealth appointments?

Ask a Ton of Questions

When selecting a pediatrician, don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you have. You'll want to feel comfortable and confident when you choose a doctor, so go in prepared with a list of questions to ask. Some of these may include things like:

• What are your qualifications and experience in pediatrics?
• Are you board-certified?
• Do you have any sub-specialties or special interests in pediatrics?
• How long have you been practicing?
• Do you have hospital privileges? If so, at which hospitals?
• Are you a solo practitioner, or do you work in a group practice?
• What is your approach to newborn care and development?
• How do you handle common issues like sleep training, feeding, and vaccinations?
• What is your stance on breastfeeding vs. formula feeding?
• How do you support parents with concerns about developmental milestones?
• How do you involve parents in medical decisions?
• What’s your philosophy on antibiotic use for minor illnesses?
• Do you follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization schedule?
• How do you handle parents who have concerns about vaccines?
• What is your approach to preventive care and wellness checkups?
• Do you offer guidance on nutrition and child safety?
• Do you accept my insurance plan?
• What are your fees for routine visits, sick visits, and vaccinations?
• Do you offer payment plans or financial assistance if needed?
• How long is the typical wait time for appointments?
• Do you have separate waiting areas for sick children?
• How friendly and helpful is your staff?
• Will I always see you, or might we see other doctors in the practice?

These are great starting questions to help you get more information before choosing a pediatrician for your new baby. Of course, you can always ask additional questions if you have them.

Evaluate Communication Compatibility

Consider your communication compatibility based on your visit to their office and how your "interview" went. Some expecting parents prefer short, direct answers, while others may want more explanation. Finding a pediatrician for your child who matches your communication style is essential, as this can help keep you feeling comfortable and secure with your baby's care throughout development. If, for some reason, you felt like you were dismissed or your concerns weren't considered, it's okay to keep looking.

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